Brian has only the resources of the forest. He has to try to find food, water, and to invent fire. He needs the fire to signal the searchers to find him. In the story, he has to learn a lot of things before he successfully makes smoke signals that get him rescued.
He has encounters with animals and plants that make him ill or hurt him. For instance, he encounters a bear while he is picking raspberries. Surprisingly, the bear does not hurt him. On the other hand, a porcupine attacks while he sleeping. The porcupine left with a rude note by stabbing Brian with a couple of his needles in his leg. This happened because Brian impulsively kicked at it without knowing what he was kicking. The result of his impulsiveness is that he ends up pulling out the quills but with intense pain. The pain persists for most of the story, and reminds Brian what will happen if he acts without thinking first.
The book Hatchet is a well-written book by the same author that brought us The Winter Room. Gary Paulsen writes a wonderful survival book in which he captures the realism of the natural surroundings and the realism of his own feelings. The reader feels the exact feelings that Brian feels.
This is a great family book. I read it with my mom. All ages can relate to and enjoy this book. It is a book for readers who like adventure and suspense. Since it is about a teenager, this book will really appeal mostly to teenagers.